"A child's learning is the function more of the characteristics of his classmates than those of the teacher." James Coleman, 1972

Thursday, September 10, 2015

The new tests are harder. But are they better?

Sent to the Los Angeles Times, September 10, 2015We are told that most of our students "are not on track to succeed in college" because of the results of recent testing ("New California tests present sobering picture of student achievement," September 10).There is no evidence that the new tests predict college success, nor is there any evidence that they are better than previous tests or having no standardized yearly tests at all. The decrease in test scores shows us only that the new tests are harder. Alfie Kohn reminds us that harder does not necessarily mean better.

1 comment:

The bogus claims that Common Core standards/tests (PARCC, SBAC, Pearson NY, AIR, SAT et.al.) can actually promote and measure "college and career" readiness and "critical thinking" skills maybe the largest scale FRAUD ever perpetrated on a group. In this case 50+ million children and 100 million parents. The jig is up as the curtain is now being pulled back on the snake oil salesmen who wouldn't dream of subjecting their own children to the crap they have sold to other people's kids. The American taxpayers should be demanding reparations for this unprecedented FRAUD.

David Coleman and Bill Gates walk into a bar filled with their few dozen remaining followers. They sit down to order a drink.The bar tender says, “Hey aren’t you David Coleman the chief architect of the Common Core and the current president of the College Board?”“Why yes, replies Coleman. I’m flattered that you recognized me.”The bar keep asks, “Is it true that your decisions will affect the education of 75 million students a year, P to 20 – until the end of time?”“As a matter of fact, it is true.” Coleman beams.“Well is it also true that you haven’t taught a single day in your life and are self-admittedly unqualified for the job?”“Yeah. So what?”

“And say, aren’t you Bill Gates, former CEO of Microsoft, self-made multi-billionaire?” “Indeed” replies Gates“And is it true that you spent $200 million dollars of your own pocket change to fund the implementation of Coleman’s Common Core?”“At least that” answers Gates.“And is it true that you do not subject your own children to this de-facto national curriculum that you paid for?”“Shhhhhhhhh . . .” responds Gates

“Well what can I get you guys?”“We’ll take two Kool-Aids” says Coleman. “just like everybody else in here”